Zaniolo scores the only goal against his ex-team to hand Atalanta their first Serie A defeat of the season. Runjaic’s Udinese climb above the Bergamaschi thanks to a disciplined and inspired display in Udine.
Udinese delivered one of their best performances of the season to beat previously unbeaten Atalanta 1-0 at the Bluenergy Stadium. Nicolò Zaniolo — who left Bergamo this summer — proved decisive once again, netting his third goal in four matches to secure a vital home victory for Kosta Runjaic’s side.
The Friulians started brighter, pressing high and denying Atalanta space between the lines. The visitors thought they had broken the deadlock when Sulemana finished from a Zappacosta cross, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Moments later, Udinese struck: in the 40th minute, Kamara found Zaniolo at the edge of the box, and the Italian attacker fired a perfect left-footed shot into the bottom corner for the eventual winner.
Atalanta boss Ivan Juric tried to shake things up after the break, introducing Lookman and Krstovic for the ineffective Sulemana and Scamacca, but the changes brought little improvement. Udinese stayed compact, closing every space and relying on the brilliant defensive work of Atta — who produced a crucial late clearance to deny the equalizer.
It was a frustrating night for Atalanta, whose attack lacked precision and creativity, while Udinese’s structure and energy earned them a well-deserved three points. With the victory, Runjaic’s men leapfrog the Nerazzurri in the standings and continue their climb up the table.
Match Report
Scorers:
40’ Zaniolo (Udinese)
Udinese (3-5-2):
Okoye; Bertola (76′ Palma), Kabasele, Solet; Zanoli (76′ Ehizibue), Ekkelenkamp (69′ Piotrowski), Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo (69′ Bayo), Buksa (86′ Zarraga).
Coach: Runjaic.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1):
Carnesecchi; Koussounou (85′ Brescianini), Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, Ederson, Pasalic, Zalewski (77′ Bellanova); Samardzic (77′ De Ketelaere), Sulemana (59′ Lookman); Scamacca (59′ Krstovic).
Coach: Juric.
Referee: Fabbri
Yellow cards: Kamara (Udinese); Krstovic, De Ketelaere, Ederson (Atalanta)
Red cards: None
